Oh hey there, Thursday.

I cannot believe tomorrow is Thursday. So, let's see here. Last time I updated was right before I headed into the village to stay with the best Honduran family ever. Karin and I had such a wonderful time with them. My dream was fulfilled by living in community with Bictelia and her family. We stayed with them from Saturday to Tuesday. Saturday was spent with their family in Crucitas for a birthday party. It was nice to meet Bictelia's mom and her brothers and sisters and their children. Family here is so cherished. It was so neat to see the greeting of someone when they arrived at the house. They're just so friendly. Her brother and sister-in-law were just as excited to us, as they were to see their family too. We were given kisses on the cheek and hugs galore. Sundays with the locals are insane. Their church services are two and a half hours long. We went to one in Crucitas with their family and then again that night with Bictelia in Río Esteban. 5 hours of church in one day. Mondays are the only nights that they don't have church. In the absence of church those nights, Bictelia's family has what they call a reunion. They gather in their living room, share a short message and then sing and worship. This was probably my favorite night. Alfredo, the dad and Delmi started singing while Wilder and William were on the drums. We all started dancing and singing. Oh my goodness, just recalling that night brings a smile to my face. The church here disagrees with dancing but this family doesn't find anything wrong with it so they dance in their home without judgment from the outside. So so so fun. I was also able to spend some time with my favorite little babe, Brayon (their little rascal cousin). The food was incredible. My family will be surprised to hear that I've eaten meat with every meal. It's crazy how open I've become in new situations. Like how I was somewhat of a germaphob before I left and now, I eat with my hands, bath in the sea, eat fruit straight from the tree. I know, I know...wild woman.

I want to elaborate on my time spent with Bictelia's family but today has been SO exhausting. Our friend, Deibyn wanted us to go to this waterfall with him in Lucinda so we all were excited for the day. Deibyn told us it was like a 20 minute walk. Hondurans have no concept of time. 20 minute walk, you say? More like a grueling hour and a half hike. We made it half way with a big group and one of the girls with us ended up having to go back down because of her asthma, so a couple of us walked back down with her. The other person decided to stay down there so I hauled back up to the spot we left to meet Deibyn, who had so graciously waited. Now, I've said this before but I have the lung capacity of a 85 year old seasoned smoker. Ok, maybe not that bad but still... Anyway, I meet up with Deibyn and he's had to wait for probably 30 minutes so he's eager to get going and catch up with the others. It's so funny to me how scrawny the people here are but how much endurance they have. No one here is all muscled out but I guarantee you everyone could climb a mountain for 4 hours without rest or water. So I'm trying to keep up with Deibyn and we finally reach water and he's saying, "oh yes! We are almost there. I think I hear their voices. Oh yes, we are so close." (That was said in a thick Honduran accent by the way). That little turd kept telling me he could hear their voices for probably 30 minutes before I actually heard them too. The waterfall was phenomenal. We hiked straight up to the top (why not? we'd come this far, right?) to jump off. Standing on top of that waterfall was incredible. I told my friend Sam not to let me chicken out of jumping because, despite my new found wildness, my slight fear of heights remains. Fortunately, my fear did not get the best of me and I was able to jump. Two times, in fact. It was a wonderful day, filled with so much laughter, so much sweat and so many battle wounds from an unforgiving trail. I am spent. Tomorrow, we'll be heading to Las Niguas for the last time. I cannot believe my journey is coming to an end. I have had such an amazing time here. I will miss my new friends and my routine here so much. I'm excited to come home though to my sweet family and puppies and ice cream and cushy bed and friends. If I don't get an opportunity to update before I leave here, please be praying for safe travels on Friday and Saturday. I love you all!!!